Ola, Uber, Rapido Drivers to Strike on Saturday: Commuters Advised to Stay Cautious

New Delhi: Ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido may face disruptions on Saturday, February 7, as driver unions across India have called for a strike. Representing gig workers associated with these platforms, the unions claim that companies arbitrarily set commission rates on their apps, significantly affecting drivers’ earnings. They have also appealed to the government to intervene.

The strike, dubbed the “All India Breakdown,” is being led by the Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) in coordination with several national labor organizations. Drivers are expected to go offline for at least six hours during the protest, potentially disrupting cab, auto-rickshaw, and bike taxi services in major cities across the country.

Union Allegations:
The unions allege that ride-hailing platforms unilaterally fix fares, disregarding regulations introduced under the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, which aim to regulate this sector. According to the unions, the government has failed to notify a minimum base fare, leaving drivers underpaid and exploited, with working conditions deteriorating.

Union Demands:
In a post on social media platform X, TGPWU stated:
“Despite the Motor Vehicle Aggregator Guidelines, 2025, platforms continue to set fares arbitrarily. Our demands are clear: notify a minimum fare, regulate the sector, and stop misuse of private vehicles for commercial rides.”

The union added that millions of app-based drivers are being pushed into poverty while aggregators continue to profit, and called for immediate government action.

Earlier, TGPWU had urged the government to notify a mandatory minimum base fare for platforms such as Ola, Uber, Rapido, and Porter. They also demanded that recognized driver unions be consulted in determining minimum fares, covering cab, auto, bike taxi, and other aggregator services. Additionally, they called for restrictions on using private, non-commercial vehicles for commercial passenger or goods transport and requested removal of Clause 17.3 from the 2025 guidelines, which allows aggregators to take up to 50% less than the base fare.

The union emphasized that delays from both state and central governments have resulted in income insecurity and worsening working conditions for app-based drivers. They urged governments to engage with labor groups to ensure fair and lawful regulation of the sector.